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Soccer Free Picks: Chelsea vs. Southampton EPL Tips

Chelsea take on an in-form Southampton on
Sunday in week 13 of Premier League action, with the Blues keen to keep pace
with pacesetters Arsenal. Here’s a primer on this highly anticipated clash complete
with select soccer picks for your consideration.

Chelsea
strong favourites

Chelsea will aim to maintain their place in
the chasing pack when they take on an in-form Southampton in week 13. It wasn’t
long (just last week) when Southampton occupied a berth above Chelsea in the
table. Thanks to the Blues’ win over
West Ham United in week 12 and Southampton’s defeat to Arsenal in the same week the pair flip-flopped in
the table.

Chelsea, currently third, improved to 7-3-2
on the back of the 3-0 win over West Ham United, a much-needed win that put
them level on points with Liverpool and saw them close the gap on Arsenal to
four points.

Midweek action however saw Jose Mourinho’s side falter against Basel
in Champions League action, somewhat surprisingly really. The 1-0 defeat marked the second defeat to the
stoic Swiss outfit, proving the first at Stamford Bridge was no fluke. More
importantly, it very nearly put their European campaign in jeopardy. Instead,
thanks largely to Schalke 04’s lacklustre draw to Steaua Bucharest on the same
day in the section’s other match, Chelsea are through to the knockout stages
but it remains to be seen whether they finish first or second.

The frustrating result is just another in a
growing list. Just when the Blues seem to be getting things together they go
and drop a surprise in sports bettors
laps. How much stock we should put into their European outing remains to be
seen. As far as this next matchup goes odds makers aren’t fussed at all,
sending Chelsea into their date with Southampton as the firm favourites listed at -175 to win outright at Bet365.

Southampton meanwhile are getting no
respect in the markets, listed at a
whopping +550 to win outright at Bet365 they are the quintessential long
shot bet. A market cast that stands in stark contrast to their season’s output,
which sees them in fifth place on the back of a 6-4-2 mark.

Granted home form has been their golden
goose but they did manage a win over Liverpool at Anfield Stadium and a draw at
the Old Trafford – no mean feat either of those results. So road form, even if
it’s a modest 2-2-2, can’t be dismissed out of hand entirely when they clearly
can stand up to the big boys.

Chelsea are unbeaten five in a row at home
and that is probably largely responsible for this lopsided market. Indeed,
it’ll be a tall ask for Southampton. Still, West Brom recently forced the draw
on Chelsea – very nearly frolicked away with a win had it not been for a
fortuitous (contentious) penalty late in the game. One has to consider, if West
Brom can ruffle Chelsea’s feathers then Southampton, playing some of the best
football in their club’s recent history this season, must be able to do some
damage too. Surely, if nothing else, the draw can’t be as out of reach as sportsbooks would have you believe at
+320 soccer odds.

Soccer Betting Verdict: Natural inclination
dictates backing the home win and taking Chelsea at their favourable -175 soccer odds. But this season’s EPL
has been nothing short of surprises. And we’re in a contrary mood, let’s say. Chelsea
are coming off a packed schedule this week with a short trek to West Ham
followed by a longer trek to Switzerland. The pressures of the week combined
with travel and the minor disappointment against Basel could have a toll (don’t
get us started on the Special One’s haircut). At the very least, it opens the
possibility Southampton could be in for a point-making trip, if not turning the
odds completing in their favour then the draw surely. Both those options hold a
certain appeal and either would be well worth consideration for your soccer picks on the weekend. For our money, we quite fancy the draw.